WARNINGS
BiCNU (carmustine for injection) should be administered under the
supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer
chemotherapeutic agents.
Bone marrow suppression, notably thrombocytopenia and leukopenia,
which may contribute to bleeding and overwhelming infections in
an already compromised patient, is the most common and severe of
the toxic effects of BiCNU (see WARNINGS
and ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Since the major toxicity is delayed bone marrow suppression blood
counts should be monitored weekly for at least 6 weeks after a dose
(see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
At the recommended dosage, courses of BiCNU should not be given
more frequently than every 6 weeks.
The bone marrow toxicity of BiCNU is cumulative and therefore dosage
adjustment must be considered on the basis of nadir blood counts
from prior dose (see under DOSAGE
AND ADMINISTRATION: Dosage Adjustment Table).
Pulmonary toxicity from BiCNU appears to be dose related. Patients
receiving greater than 1400 mg/ m cumulative dose are at significantly
higher risk than those receiving less.
Delayed pulmonary toxicity can occur years after treatment, and
can result in death particularly in patients treated in childhood
(see ADVERSE REACTIONS
and PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric
Use).

BiCNU (carmustine for injection) is one of the nitrosoureas used in
the treatment of certain neoplastic diseases. It is 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.
It is lyophilized pale yellow flakes or congealed mass with a molecular
weight of 214.06. It is highly soluble in alcohol and lipids, and poorly
soluble in water. BiCNU is administered by intravenous infusion after
reconstitution as recommended.

BiCNU is available in 100 mg single dose vials of lyophilized material.